Tier 2 Cities.

I am currently on the road for work in Denver and have driven more in the last 48 hours than I have in the last 4 to 8 months in Chicago.

And I love it. Because I'm not driving in Chicago. I'm back at home in Fargo, Cincinnati, St. Paul, and maybe even visiting Madison. The highways have these darling little strips called "two lanes." On each side! Sigh. So easy.

Today I had a little time to kill in Boulder, so I walked around the town sticking out in a business suit and heels. And I like it here.

Top five reasons for Ruth and Tim to move to Boulder, CO;
1. Breweries!
2. Mountains!
3. Tim could finally utlize his collection of hoodies and pull-overs.They are mandatory here.
4. Traffic---little to none.
5. Skiing. Tim used to be a safety patrol guy at Rib Mountain in Wisconsin, and he still refuses to discard his fanny pack of cotton cloth and chicken wire.I know he's still got the fever.


So, um, we're moving to Boulder! Breathing the air, enjoying parking meters that aren't six bucks an hour, and enough nature to keep us far apart from each other for the majority of the day. Perfect.

travel for work.

Well, I am sitting in union square enjoying a delicious coffee and breakfast amoungst all the Europeans that seem to have taken over this touristy neighborhood, and I am still reveling in the afterglow of being mistaken for a native---gah, pidgeon on the table! No bacon for YOU---and being able to tell another young British guy that no, you aren't on Powell, but if youi want to hit China Town, just head to the next light, take a left, and head up the hill. Woot.

I did not take a trolley, but I did head down a street with multiple crack heads, as well as run along the bay. And run through China Town. And enjoyed some delious sushi next to another British business traveler that shared his experience of hearing the election results at a hotel bar in Atlanta. He apologized for the language.by the way, the British love Obama!

Another note? I drove in California. Hurrah.

And initially I didn't like San Francisco because pedestrians just would not make room for me on the sidewalk---their personal bubbles were about two inches on either side, way less than a midwesterner. But when I just stepped back inside the cafe, a stranger saved my fritatta from the birds. So I think the city has redeemed itself.

So today I head back to Chicago. Where it will snow and be cold and Tim and me and the cats will sweat in our steam heated apartment.

Yayyyyyyyy.